March 2019 Auction

Balblair 1964 Intertrade 21 Year Old

A 21 year old bottle of Balblair, distilled in March 1964 and bottled by Intertrade in November 1985 for the Italian market at cask strength. 

Intertrade was established in Italy in the early 1980s by Nadi Fiori, a contemporary of Silvano Samaroli and Moon Import's Pepi Mongiardino. His company is perhaps less well known than theirs, but bottled some of the most well-regarded and collectible whiskies on the market.

Benromach 1998 Cask No.1 / 20th Anniversary

Benromach was reopened in 1998 after being acquired and re-established by Gordon and MacPhail. 

This historic release was bottled to celebrate the 20th anniversary of distillation restarting, with all 575 bottles having been matured for 20 years in the very first cask filled in 1998. 

Distilled on 21st August 1998, matured in first-fill sherry butt #1 and bottled on 21st August 2018.

Bottle number 220 of 575. 

Benromach 1998 Cask No.1 / 20th Anniversary

Benromach was reopened in 1998 after being acquired and re-established by Gordon and MacPhail. 

This historic release was bottled to celebrate the 20th anniversary of distillation restarting, with all 575 bottles having been matured for 20 years in the very first cask filled in 1998. 

Distilled on 21st August 1998, matured in first-fill sherry butt #1 and bottled on 21st August 2018.

Bottle number 447 of 575. 

Benromach 1998 Cask No.1 / 20th Anniversary

Benromach was reopened in 1998 after being acquired and re-established by Gordon and MacPhail. 

This historic release was bottled to celebrate the 20th anniversary of distillation restarting, with all 575 bottles having been matured for 20 years in the very first cask filled in 1998. 

Distilled on 21st August 1998, matured in first-fill sherry butt #1 and bottled on 21st August 2018.

Bottle number 446 of 575. 

Banff 1966 Blackadder 36 Year Old Raw Cask 75cl / US Import

A rare Blackadder bottling of Banff, distilled on 16th November 1966 and bottled in September 2003.

The Raw Cask series from Blackadder are single casks that are completely unfiltered, ensuring all sediment and natural oils and fats from the barrel and retained. The cask in cask in question here was sherry butt #3439.

One of just 519 bottles

US Import

Brora 1974 Douglas Laing 26 Year Old

An older independently bottled Brora, distilled in November 1974 and bottled in April 2001. 

The Old Malt Cask series is one of the most established independent labels on the market. It was launched by Douglas Laing in 1998 and bottled by them until 2013 when the brand became part of the Hunter Laing portfolio instead.

Closed since 1983, these old vintage bottlings of Brora are very sought after.

One of 258 bottles. 

Bowmore 1973 21 Year Old

A rare bottling of 1973 vintage single malt from Islay's oldest distillery, Bowmore.

Bottled at 21 years old.

Ben Nevis 1984 Single Cask 31 Year Old / LMDW 60th Anniversary

An exceptional Ben Nevis, distilled in 1984 and matured for 31 years before being bottled in July 2016 to celebrate La Maison du Whisky's 60th anniversary. 

Matured in fresh sherry puncheons for its final 17 years of maturation, after initial maturation in bourbon barrels. 

Bottle number 335 of 600. 

Balmenach 14 Year Old Sesante 57.5%

An unusual bottling of Balmenach 14 year old from Italian importer Sesante. 

The Sestante import company was founded in the 1970s by Ernesto Mainardi, and he bottled his first single casks under the name in 1985. Alongside his contemporary, Silvano Samaroli, Mainardi pioneered giving his customers a choice of both standard 40-46% bottlings, and cask strength releases from the same casks. Along with his other brand, Silver Seal, Mainardi's bottlings are incredibly sought after.

This is one of two 14 year old bottlings of Balmenach in this label style, with the other bottled at 43% ABV.

Brora 1975 Rare Malt 20 Year Old / 54.9%​

The Rare Malt Selection is a historic selection of single malt whiskies from operational and lost distilleries that were released by Diageo between 1995 and 2005.

This bottle of Brora was distilled in 1975 and matured for 20 years.

Bottle number 1714.

Benriach 1968 Duncan Taylor 37 Year Old

A wonderful single cask Benriach released from Duncan Taylor, within their Rare Auld series of whiskies.

Distilled in November 1968 and bottled an impressive 37 years later in July 2006.  

This is bottle 124 of 262.

Bruichladdich 36 Year Old DNA

Bottled in December 2008 this is a 36 year old Bruichladdich, that was matured in 80% bourbon and 20% sherry prior to a Chateau Le Pin Finish. 

In Jim McEwan's words, this represents \"The precious legacy of those who went before us; a tribute to our past and a celebration of what is to come.\"

Bottle number 007, of only 900.

Bowmore 14 Year Old Sestante

A later 1980s addition to the Sestante catalogue, this is a non-vintage 14 year old from Islay's oldest distillery, Bowmore. Bottled for Sestante by Gordon & MacPhail.

The Sestante import company was founded in the 1970s by Ernesto Mainardi, and he bottled his first single casks under the name in 1985. Alongside his contemporary, Silvano Samaroli, Mainardi pioneered giving his customers a choice of both standard 40-46% bottlings, and cask strength releases from the same casks. Along with his other brand, Silver Seal, Mainardi's bottlings are incredibly sought after.

Brora 1978 Gordon and MacPhail Rare Old

Released recently by Gordon and MacPhail, this 35 year old Brora was distilled in 1978 and bottled in 2013.

Lot No RO/13/05

Limited to 218 bottles. 

Brora 1977 Rare Malt 21 Year Old / 56.9%

The Rare Malt Selection is an historic selection of single malt whiskies from operational and lost distilleries that were released by Diageo between 1995 and 2005.

Brora closed in 1983 and over the years has contributed to 13 different Rare Malt releases. 

This bottle was distilled in 1977 and bottled in October 1998 as a 21 year old.

Bottle number 175.

Brora 1977 Rare Malt 21 Year Old / 56.9%

The Rare Malt Selection is an historic selection of single malt whiskies from operational and lost distilleries that were released by Diageo between 1995 and 2005.

Brora closed in 1983 and over the years has contributed to 13 different Rare Malt releases. 

This bottle was distilled in 1977 and bottled in October 1998 as a 21 year old.

Bottle number 5560.

Brora 1977 Rare Malt 21 Year Old / 56.9%

The Rare Malt Selection is an historic selection of single malt whiskies from operational and lost distilleries that were released by Diageo between 1995 and 2005.

Brora closed in 1983 and over the years has contributed to 13 different Rare Malt releases. 

This bottle was distilled in 1977 and bottled in October 1998 as a 21 year old.

Bottle number 7380.

Brora 1982 Rare Malt 20 Year Old / 58.1%

The Rare Malt Selection is a historic selection of single malt whiskies from operational and lost distilleries that were released by Diageo between 1995 and 2005.

Brora closed in 1983 and over the years has contributed to 13 different Rare Malt Selection releases. 

Distilled in 1982 and bottled April 2003. 

Bottle number 2004.

Benrinnes 1962 Cadenhead's 27 Year Old

A very rare bottling from Cadenhead's, this Benrinnes was distilled in March 1962 and bottled in December 1989. 

Cadenhead's are Scotland's oldest independent bottler, operating for over 175 years, but perhaps none of their bottlings are as sought after as these 'dumpy' style bottles. All of these were produced with brown glass and an iconic black label, with each distillery given its own letterpress font in homage to William Cadenhead's early career in the printing business.

Bowmore 25 Year Old The Gulls 

One of the many legends of Bowmore.

Back in the day, When the Scots travelled from their Celtic lands to create the Kingdom of Dalriada-in-Alban, the Pictish and Brythonic tribes who already lived in the lands resisted fiercely. Legend says that the daughter of a Pictish King fell in love with a captured Scottish warrior and helped him escape. Together they fled westwards to Islay. Rowing towards the young warrior's home on the shores of Loch Indaal, a terrible storm assaulted their boat, sending it crashing into the rocky coast line.

The young Scot's clansmen found only debris and no sign of the lovers - but a pair of white gulls soared and swooped together across the Loch, settling neither on the western nor the eastern shore, as if torn between the two.

... on the whisky front, this is a 25 year old Bowmore presented in a stunning blue decanter with a stylish box.

Balvenie 30 Year Old

A well respected 30 year old from Balvenie, which won a Gold Medal at the 2010 International Spirits Challenge.

Bruichladdich 1968 Bar Metro 16 Year Old

A spectacularly rare example of independently bottled Bruichladdich. This 16 year old comprises one of four in the first ever bottlings for the esteemed Bar Metro in Milan, which was founded by Giorgio d'Ambrosio in 1966.

The bar was a favourite of connoisseurs for its incredible selection, and Giorgio decided to bottle his very own whisky for the first time in 1984. All four of the first bottlings were Bruichladdich, which he purchased from the legendary Silvano Samaroli. The receipt for the transaction, dated 28th May 1984, lists the sale of five 16 year old (1968 vintage), ten 17 year old (1967 vintage) and ten 18 year old (1966) vintage casks.

The bottles were filled for Bar Metro by R.W. Duthie in Aberdeen.

Booker's Rye 13 Year Old Limited Edition

An award winning whiskey, Jim Murray named this as his World Whisk(e)y of the Year 2016.  

Booker's is produced by Jim Beam at their second distillery on Boston Road in Kentucky. Both the bourbon and that distillery are named after former Master Distiller, Booker Noe. It is believed Beam have designs on making Booker's a premium product within their range, so now is as good a time as any to snare one.

This limited, one-off release was created by Fred Noe, the current Master Distiller at Jim Beam, Fred is the son of Booker and the great grandson of the \"Jim Beam\", making him the seventh generation Beam family distiller.

Bottle number 6918.

\"Big Time Batch\"

Bowmore Blair Castle Horse Trials 2005

A special limited edition Bowmore bottled to celebrate the Blair Castle International Horse Trials which was held between the 25th and 28th August 2005.

Bowmore Blair Castle Horse Trials 2004

A special limited edition Bowmore bottled to celebrate the Blair Castle International Horse Trials which was held between the 26th and 29th August 2004.

Balvenie 30 Year Old

A well respected 30 year old from Balvenie, which won a Gold Medal at the 2010 International Spirits Challenge.

Benrinnes 1971 Cadenhead's 26 Year Old

Distilled in 1971 and bottled in February 1998 by Cadenhead's.

Matured 26 years in sherrywood.

Brora 1982 Douglas Laing 22 Year Old / Advance Sample

An independent bottling of Brora, distilled in their penultimate year of production in 1982. The distillery has been closed since the following year.

The Old Malt Cask series is one of the most established independent labels on the market. It was launched by Douglas Laing in 1998 and bottled by them until 2013 when the brand became part of the Hunter Laing portfolio instead.

This is a pre-release Advance Sample bottle, aged 22 years in a sherry hogshead and set for exclusive bottling for the Alambic Classique in Germany.

Bowmore 1989 SMWS 28 Year Old 3.305

'The scents of perfection'

This Bowmore was distilled on 11th March 1989 and bottled 28 years later by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society.

One of 209 bottles drawn from a first fill Pedo Ximenez hogshead.

Please note that the title of this lot was updated to reflect that this was in fact a 1989 vintage 28 year old on 04/03/19. Whisky Auctioneer apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Balvenie Tun 1858 Batch #5

A marriage of 6 Traditional whisky casks and 4 Sherry Butts created the sixth limited edition Balvenie Tun 1858, for the Taiwanese market. 

As with the Balvenie Tun 1401, these whiskies are hand-selected by Malt Master David Stewart. Six traditional whisky casks and four sherry butts are combined and rested for several months in Tun 1858. 

Bowmore 25 Year Old 

A fairly recent bottling of 25 year old Bowmore, Islay's oldest distillery. 

Bowmore Fly Fishing Championships 2003

A very limited bottle of Bowmore that was released for the European Fly Fishing Championships on Islay in 2003.

Any avid Bowmore collector would be mad to miss out on this highly sought after release!